Interview with Jorge Linares

25-year-old Venezuelan boxer Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares is one of the top lightweights in boxing today. WBC Rankings has recently ranked him #7 in the lightweight division (as of May 14,2011). Dubbed by boxing expert Don Chargin as being his best “pound4pound” fighter (2010) in a video interview with reporter Elie Sechback, with a record of 30-1, 19KO’s, Linares has been preparing for his first fight for 2011 with Colombian boxer Francisco Cordero which will be on May 28 in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico. Linares had some time out of his busy schedule to talk with MyBoxingFans about his upcoming fight and what’s in store for 2011.

Q. Jorge this is your first fight of the year, how prepared are you?

Linares: Yes, this is my first fight of the year and to be honest I really needed it because its almost been 7 months without a fight. I’ve been training since January so I’m more than ready to fight with anyone. I’m hoping for the #3 this year and be crowned world champion again.

Q.How important is it to you to take care of business in this ‘tune up” type of fight and not take your opponent lightly?

Linares: All my fights are important in my career,the opponent is Colombian and I hope that I’ve come well prepared because it won’t be easy, no opponent is easy so it always important to come well prepared.

Q.There’s been talks on many discussion boards on the internet that you’ll be in Los Angeles preparing for a #3 belt for a July match, possible prospects are: Robert Guerrero, Michael Katsidis and Humberto Soto. Is there truth to any of this?

Linares: Yes, we’re talking about fighting on July 30th in Las Vegas if the outcome is good in Mexico, I would like that. I’m ready to fight with the big boys. Guerrero, Katsidis,Soto whichever and wherever. This year is the year for me to be crowned for the 3rd time.

Q.Is there a boxer you’d like to fight in the future?

Linares: My future is the present because you’ll never know what can happen tomorrow. The most important thing is to keep active. There are many good and great fighters and a great fighter to name is Manny Pacquiao.

Q.There are many fans of boxing in the United States who would like to see more of you, What can we expect in 2011?

Linares: Thank God if I have a lot of people that follow me and want me to fight soon in the U.S., I’ve had the opportunity to fight twice in Las Vegas and that to me is still something beautiful and important. I hope they see another fight this year and more if there is a world title.

Q. Being young and already a two time world champion, what do you think makes you a great boxer?

Linares:I thank God I’ve been crowned twice and I’m still the youngest boxer to be crowned champion in Venezuela. The most important thing is the youth and the desire to go far in this sport. The support of my family and friends is an unsurpassed energy. I think that with my speed, vividness, intelligence and strength is what makes me great and now I just hope there’s opportunities for growth.

Q.Who do you think is the best “Pound4Pound” fighter right now?

Linares: Manny Pacquiao and everyone knows (he says laughing).

Linares is one of my favorite boxers I’ve interviewed so far. We may not have heard or seen much of Linares because he has been living and fighting out of Tokyo, Japan, for the past 8 years. To be honest, I’ve read of Linares but never seen any of his fights. So I decided to watch his fights and workouts onyoutube to see what Linares was all about. From my observation I think he has the potential to take over the lightweight division. With Linares’ fast hands, excellent defense and being ring smart-(he’s not so quick to attack his opponent) he deserves to be fighting with the best. Overrall, Linares has excellent boxing skills and talent.

Last but not least, Linares has a message to his fans: ” Hugs and Thank You’s for all the support everyone has given me.”